Nehru and Gandhi

William H. Johnson, Nehru and Gandhi, ca. 1945, oil on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.665
William H. Johnson, Nehru and Gandhi, ca. 1945, oil on paperboard, 33 7827 78 in. (86.070.8 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.665

Artwork Details

Title
Nehru and Gandhi
Date
ca. 1945
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
33 7827 78 in. (86.070.8 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of the Harmon Foundation
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on paperboard
Classifications
Subjects
  • Figure group
  • Landscape — celestial — moon
  • Animal — dog
  • Portrait male — Gandhi, Mahatma
  • Portrait male — Nehru
Object Number
1967.59.665

Artwork Description

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869--1968), known widely as the Mahatma (the Great Soul), was an Indian lawyer who advocated nonviolent protest and resistance against British colonial rule of India. Raised in a Hindu family, he studied law as a young man before practicing in South Africa for twenty-one years and campaigning for civil rights. Upon his return to India, Gandhi led the Indian National Congress and began the push for India's independence from British rule. His protest marches, peaceful boycotts, and personal fasts made him a national icon despite several arrests. In 1944, after Gandhi was released from prison for the final time, the British made plans to withdraw from the subcontinent. 
 
Johnson depicted Gandhi to the right of Jawaharlal Nehru (1889--1964), India's first Prime Minister. While the two shared the goal of complete independence for India, Gandhi envisioned a traditionalist society for the freed country; Nehru envisioned a modern India with an international presence. Johnson portrayed the two men as fathers of the new country. They are surrounded by skeletal bodies and shrouded remains that are haunting reminders of the horrors of the final years of British rule. 

Works by this artist (162 items)

Mingering Mike, MERCY: "DIG IT" / WELL SHE LOVE'S ME, MINGERING MIKE & HIS FRACTURED SOUL BAND, ca. 1972 - 1975, ink and marker on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mike Wilkins and Sheila Duignan and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2013.8.85.2, © Mingering Mike
MERCY: DIG IT” / WELL SHE LOVE’S ME, MINGERING MIKE & HIS…
Dateca. 1972 - 1975
ink and marker on paper
Not on view
Mingering Mike, Gold Pot Records: MINGERING MIKE: SWEET WOMAN OF MINE, ca. 1972, ink, marker, crayon, and paint on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mike Wilkins and Sheila Duignan and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2013.8.110, © Mingering Mike
Gold Pot Records: MINGERING MIKE: SWEET WOMAN OF MINE
Dateca. 1972
ink, marker, crayon, and paint on paperboard
Not on view

Exhibitions

Media - 1967.59.1146 - SAAM-1967.59.1146_2 - 141130
Fighters for Freedom: William H. Johnson Picturing Justice
March 8, 2024September 10, 2024
William H. Johnson's Fighters for Freedom series from the mid-1940s is a tribute to African American activists, scientists, teachers, and performers as well as international leaders working to bring peace to the world.

More Artworks from the Collection

Claire Falkenstein, City is Man, 1941-1952, linocut, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.14, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
City is Man
Date1941-1952
linocut
Not on view
Claire Falkenstein, Untitled, 1976, embossed paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.18, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
Untitled
Date1976
embossed paper
Not on view
Claire Falkenstein, Mandala, 1977, lithograph, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.19, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
Mandala
Date1977
lithograph
Not on view
Nathan Oliveira, Site with Blue and White, 1978, monotype, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Moses Lasky, 2004.32.14
Site with Blue and White
Date1978
monotype
Not on view